Piano scales

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Blues Scales for Piano

Adding a “blue note” to the regular Pentatonic Scale result in the Pentatonic Blues Scale. These scales are for obvious reasons perfect when playing blues on the piano. The “Major Blues Scale” is some less common than the “Minor Blues Scale”, and therefore we start with minor and you will find the major by scrolling down.

The blues originate from a mix of different sources in music, so there is no satisfying explanation in theoretical terms about this scale. But the most important thing is of course how it sounds when you are using it. Try these scales below and you will hear the blues!

Minor Blues Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the Minor Pentatonic Blues scales.
See also Major Blues Scales.

Theory and tips for improvisation

The Pentatonic Blues Scale is built upon three dominant chords. In the case of C Pentatonic, the three chords are C7 – F7 – G7. We can see the relationship when comparing the notes in the scale:

C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C

with the notes in the three chords:

(C7) C, E, G, Bb – (F7) F A C Eb – (G7) G B D F

There is a close correlation as you can see.
So how can you improvise on the piano with blues scales?
By learning these scales you will earn great tools for improvising in the musical style of blues (these scales can also be used in jazz improvisation). A tip is to use the left hand for a chord and play notes from the scale with the right. You can, for example, combine C Blues Scale with C7, F7 and G7 chords. Or, in the same way, the G Blues Scale with the chords G7, C7 and D7. The same intervals can be used in different keys.

You can also improvise blues in minor keys. A nice combination are the chords Am7, Dm7 and E7 together with the A pentatonic blues scale. Further reading: 12-bar blues.